Introduction to Fire Safety Management

part, for example:
➤
Any part of a structural frame (beams and columns)
➤
Any load-bearing wall (other than part which is only 
self-load-bearing)
➤
A 
fl oor or any element that supports a fl oor.
A roof structure is not considered as an element of 
structure unless the roof provides support to an element 
of structure or which performs the function of a fl oor.
The elements of structure should continue to 
function in a fi re. They should continue to support and 
maintain the fi re protection to fl oors, escape routes and 
access routes, until all occupants have escaped, or 
have been rescued. In order to achieve this load bearing 
elements of structure are required to have a demonstrable 
standard of fi re resistance.
The degree of fi re resistance for any particular 
building depends upon its use, size and location.
Elements of structure are required to have specifi c 
fi re resistance in order to:
➤
Minimise the risk to the occupants, some of whom 
may not evacuate the building immediately
➤
Reduce the risk to fi re fi ghters who may be engaged 
in fi re fi ghting or rescue operations
➤
Prevent excessive fi re damage and collapse of the 
building
➤
Prevent excessive transfer of heat to other buildings 
and structures.

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Introduction to Fire Safety Management
176
Junctions
In a building that is designed to offer some resistance to 
fi re it is crucial that the joints between the various elem-
ents of structure do not present any weak spots in the 
fi re protection.
It is therefore critical that the junctions of all of the 
elements of structure that form a compartment are 
formed in such a way that fi re is prevented from passing 
through the join for a period at least equal to the period 
of fi re resistance of any of the elements it joins. In 
some situations, for example roofs in terraced buildings 
and buildings that abut each other, the compartment 
walls extend through the roofs and walls forming the 
compartment.